Everywhere in the world, shrimp has been enjoyed as a part of local cuisine. They can be cooked either shelled or un-shelled depending on how you will be using them in your recipe. Shrimps are a versatile ingredient and there are a variety of dishes you can cook using shrimps. Dishes such as drunken shrimp, baked shrimp, shrimp curry, shrimp cocktail, shrimp pasta, pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad,crispy coconut shrimp, grilled shrimp scampi and many others all use shrimp as their primary ingredient.

Probably the most common question about shrimps is whether to de-vein them. Removing the vein is not necessary since it is not poisonous and is mostly tasteless. The "vein" that runs lengthwise down the back of the shrimp is not actually a vein but rather its digestive tract. Many dislike this part because of the idea of eating what amounts to the shrimp's intestine, however, it is considered both edible and nutritious.

Health benefits of shrimp (may be skipped):

Since shrimps are crustaceans (just like lobsters and crabs), their nutritional benefits are similar. Shrimps are said to be very low in saturated fat (responsible for increasing bad cholesterol) and does not contain trans fat (unless you add trans fat such as frying it). As of 2014, both USDA and American Heart Association claim that dietary cholesterol intake should not exceed 300 mg per day, and 3 oz of shrimp provides about half of that amount.

Shrimps are a natural source omega-3 fatty acids (namely EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)). Omega-3 fatty acids help decrease the risk of heart attack thus, eating shrimp is considered good for your heart. A serving of shrimp is said to provide about 15% of your daily needs for omega-3 fatty acids.

Aside from protein, shrimps also provide key nutrients. 4 oz of steamed shrimp provides over 100% of the Daily Value for selenium, over 75% for vitamin B12, over 50% for phosphorous, and over 30% for choline, copper, and iodine. It also provides several other nutrients such asvitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and pantothenic acid (all B-complex vitamins), as well as vitamin A and vitamin E.

It is also a good source of antioxidants such as selenium and astaxanthin. Selenium is an antioxidant that helps improve immunity, cardiovascular function and thyroid function. Moreover, being an antioxidant, it helps fight the harmful free radicals which damage cell membranes including DNA leading to premature aging and disease (such as cancer). On the other hand, astaxanthinhas been shown to provide antioxidant support to both the nervous system and musculoskeletal system. In addition, some animal studies have shown decreased risk of colon cancer to be associated with astaxanthin intake, as well as decreased risk of certain diabetes-related problems.

Shrimps are a very good source of protein. They are primarily made of protein and can provide over half of our daily value per serving. They are said to be an excellent source of the essential amino acid, tryptophan. Tryptophan is important in maintaining balanced sleep patterns and is also beneficial in regulating mood. In addition, it is said that the proteins found in shrimp are able to stimulate the release of a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK). A hormone that plays a role in regulating appetite. Our feeling of satiety (lack of appetite) is partly related to the levels of this hormone in our digestive tract by making us feel full or hungry. This, together with the fact that shrimps do not have carbohydrates, have very low calories (7 calories per 1 medium-sized shrimp), no wonder why shrimps are a popular addition to salads!

*References: Click here and here. Nutrition facts may vary depending on other ingredients and method of cooking.

So enough about that and let's proceed with the recipe🍽 !

Ingredients:

1 tbsp vegetable oil or butter (I used canola oil)

3 pcs red chili pepper (chopped)

1/2 K shrimp (cleaned throughly)

2 tbsp garlic (minced)

2 tbsp ginger (minced)

30 g sweet chili sauce

30 g oyster sauce

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tbsp chopped green onions

Procedure:

1. If you're using butter, melt it in a wok/pan. If you're using oil, heat it in a wok/pan over low heat.

2. Add the ginger. Saute or cook it for about a minute.

3. Add the garlic. Saute or cook it for a minute.

4. Add the shrimp, stir fry for about a minute making sure to flip them over once they change their color.

5. Pour in the oyster sauce then the sweet chili sauce.

6. Add the chili pepper, sesame oil and mix in the ingredients.

7. Cover and let it cook for 2 minutes.

8. Transfer to a serving plate and you're done!

9. Before serving, sprinkle the green onions on top.

Share and enjoy!

Since I'm Asian and I love my rice, I like to serve it on top of my rice.

I believe that cooking is a personal experience. I personally do not measure the ingredients most of the time and just rely on my taste when adding flavors. Therefore, you can follow these steps or you can be creative and use ingredients you want.

Hope you like this post. Let me know if you've tried this recipe or my previous recipe.